Sep 9–10, 2022 · Carrollton, KY · 📍 101 Main St. · State championship
Reps: Kent Schuetz, Rachel Schuetz · Prize money: $9,000
SMOKE-N-PEPPERS won Grand Champion at the Bands & BBQ at the Point on September 9, 2022 in Carrollton, KY at 101 Main St., scoring 698.8460 in a field of 32 teams. BIG DOGG BBQ - CINCINNATI, OH took Reserve Grand Champion with 697.7028. Category winners: Chicken — MEAN MOE'S BBQ (178.8572); Pork Ribs — Blue Chip BBQ (177.7028); Pork — HIGH ON THE HOG OHIO (180.0000); Brisket — Butts-N-Racks (178.8572). The Backyard Series standings were won by Ham Squad with 686.8456. This is the 9th of 12 editions of this contest on record; the 2021 edition was won by High on the Hawg - TN; the next was held in 2023.
Overall totals, every team on the board — tall stacks are where the pack sat.
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
What it has taken to win here, 2013 to 2026 — this edition picked out.
Everything below is read straight out of the results — the number on each card is the one that made it a story.
Closer than 81% of the 4,710 championships in the data
The Grand Championship was decided by 1.1432 points — closer than 81% of every championship in the data.
The ratings favoured the top seed the other 75 times in 100
SMOKE-N-PEPPERS came in rated below the field's top team, ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN, and took the Grand Championship anyway — roughly a 25-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings.
SMOKE-N-PEPPERS won the Grand Championship without winning a single meat — 3 calls from 4 boards, best of them 3rd. Consistency beat fireworks.
3 of 12 tracked editions
BLUE CHIP BBQ has won this contest 3 times across its 12 tracked editions.
Master Series — Chicken places 2–3: WEQ4U and ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN tied on 177.7028 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Chicken places 8–9: ACME BBQ and ALE YEAH BBQ tied on 174.2628 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Pork Ribs places 5–6: BBQ Maestros and BROTHERS OF OHIO BBQ tied on 174.8572 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: BLUE CHIP BBQ (won 2014, 2017, 2019), High on the Hawg - TN (won 2021).
1 perfect 180 was scored at this contest — every judge at the table handing back a nine.
Records held by every edition of this contest put together, not just this one afternoon.
| Date | Where | Venue | Teams | High score | Grand Champion | Reserve Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 6, 2013 | Carrollton, KY | Carrollton, KY | 34 | 693.6916 | Nobody from Nowhere | BLUE CHIP BBQ |
| Sep 5, 2014 | Carrollton, KY | Carrollton, KY 41008 | 36 | 694.8572 | BLUE CHIP BBQ | YELLOW RIVER BBQ |
| Sep 11, 2015 | Carrollton, KY | Carrollton, KY 41008 | 29 | 694.2856 | BARK BROTHERS BBQ | GREY STREET BBQ |
| Sep 16, 2016 | Carrollton, KY | Point Park | 31 | 707.9772 | GREY STREET BBQ | UNCLE TOAD'S COMPETITION BBQ |
| Sep 15, 2017 | Carrollton, KY | 101 Main St. | 33 | 696.5372 | BLUE CHIP BBQ | GREY STREET BBQ |
| Sep 14, 2018 | Carrollton, KY | 101 Main St. | 27 | 703.9544 | GREY STREET BBQ | SLIPPERY PETE'S BBQ |
| Sep 13, 2019 | Carrollton, KY | 101 Main St. | 28 | 697.0744 | Blue Chip BBQ | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN |
| Sep 10, 2021 | Carrollton, KY | 101 Main St. | 28 | 694.8228 | High on the Hawg - TN | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN |
| Sep 9, 2022 ← this one | Carrollton, KY | 101 Main St. | 32 | 698.8460 | Smoke-N-Peppers | BIG DOGG BBQ - CINCINNATI, OH |
| Sep 8, 2023 | Carrollton, KY | 101 Main St. | 33 | 700.6060 | Hold Your Horses BBQ | Shiggin aint easy |
| Sep 13, 2024 | Carrollton, KY | 101 Main Street | 31 | 699.3828 | WeQ4U | DANG GOOD BBQ |
| Sep 11, 2026 | Carrollton, KY | 101 Main Street | 38 | 704.5372 | Shiggin aint easy | Rooters - N - Tooters |
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Series — Chicken | 178.8572 | 176.5600 | 173.7028 |
| Master Series — Pork Ribs | 177.7028 | 174.8572 | 173.7028 |
| Master Series — Pork | 180 | 175.4056 | 170.8228 |
| Master Series — Brisket | 178.8572 | 172 | 169.6800 |
| Backyard Series — Chicken | 179.4400 | 170.8572 | 153.0856 |
| Backyard Series — Pork Ribs | 170.2744 | 162.2400 | 155.9084 |
| Backyard Series — Pork | 178.8572 | 168.6284 | 154.8572 |
| Backyard Series — Brisket | 173.7028 | 162.8572 | 159.9656 |
32 entries · top 698.8460 · median 674.1888
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SMOKE-N-PEPPERS | |
| 2 | BIG DOGG BBQ - CINCINNATI, OH | |
| 3 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | |
| 4 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 5 | ALE YEAH BBQ | |
| 6 | Blue Chip BBQ | |
| 7 | WEQ4U | |
| 8 | HIGH ON THE HAWG | |
| 9 | MEAN MOE'S BBQ | |
| 10 | SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS | |
| 11 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 12 | Peace Love & Smokiness | |
| 13 | HIGH ON THE HOG OHIO | |
| 14 | BROTHERS OF OHIO BBQ | |
| 15 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 16 | BBQ Maestros | |
| 17 | ELKHAWG SMOKERS | |
| 18 | ACME BBQ | |
| 19 | Butts-N-Racks | |
| 20 | BURNING PIG BBQ | |
| 21 | BooyaQ | |
| 22 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 23 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS, KY | |
| 24 | Hillman BBQ | |
| 25 | PPF BBQ | |
| 26 | McQ Smokers | |
| 27 | Divine Swine KY | |
| 28 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 29 | LOADED BARREL BBQ | |
| 30 | What Up Grill | |
| 31 | Meat Matadors | |
| 32 | Rockin' Pig BBQ |
32 entries · top 178.8572 · median 168.8286
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MEAN MOE'S BBQ | |
| 2 | WEQ4U | |
| 3 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | |
| 4 | BBQ Maestros | |
| 5 | SMOKE-N-PEPPERS | |
| 6 | SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS | |
| 7 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 8 | ACME BBQ | |
| 9 | ALE YEAH BBQ | |
| 10 | BIG DOGG BBQ - CINCINNATI, OH | |
| 11 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 12 | Butts-N-Racks | |
| 13 | HIGH ON THE HAWG | |
| 14 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 15 | Peace Love & Smokiness | |
| 16 | ELKHAWG SMOKERS | |
| 17 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 18 | Blue Chip BBQ | |
| 19 | PPF BBQ | |
| 20 | BURNING PIG BBQ | |
| 21 | McQ Smokers | |
| 22 | BROTHERS OF OHIO BBQ | |
| 23 | BooyaQ | |
| 24 | Meat Matadors | |
| 25 | Hillman BBQ | |
| 26 | Divine Swine KY | |
| 27 | HIGH ON THE HOG OHIO | |
| 28 | What Up Grill | |
| 29 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 30 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS, KY | |
| 31 | LOADED BARREL BBQ | |
| 32 | Rockin' Pig BBQ |
32 entries · top 177.7028 · median 169.6972
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Chip BBQ | |
| 2 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 3 | HIGH ON THE HAWG | |
| 4 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 5 | BBQ Maestros | |
| 6 | BROTHERS OF OHIO BBQ | |
| 7 | PPF BBQ | |
| 8 | Peace Love & Smokiness | |
| 9 | HIGH ON THE HOG OHIO | |
| 10 | BIG DOGG BBQ - CINCINNATI, OH | |
| 11 | SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS | |
| 12 | WEQ4U | |
| 13 | ALE YEAH BBQ | |
| 14 | SMOKE-N-PEPPERS | |
| 15 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 16 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | |
| 17 | ELKHAWG SMOKERS | |
| 18 | BooyaQ | |
| 19 | McQ Smokers | |
| 20 | BURNING PIG BBQ | |
| 21 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 22 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS, KY | |
| 23 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 24 | Hillman BBQ | |
| 25 | Divine Swine KY | |
| 26 | ACME BBQ | |
| 27 | MEAN MOE'S BBQ | |
| 28 | Butts-N-Racks | |
| 29 | What Up Grill | |
| 30 | LOADED BARREL BBQ | |
| 31 | Rockin' Pig BBQ | |
| 32 | Meat Matadors |
32 entries · top 180 · median 167.9598 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HIGH ON THE HOG OHIO | |
| 2 | BIG DOGG BBQ - CINCINNATI, OH | |
| 3 | MEAN MOE'S BBQ | |
| 4 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 5 | Blue Chip BBQ | |
| 6 | SMOKE-N-PEPPERS | |
| 7 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 8 | BURNING PIG BBQ | |
| 9 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | |
| 10 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 11 | WEQ4U | |
| 12 | ELKHAWG SMOKERS | |
| 13 | SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS | |
| 14 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 15 | HIGH ON THE HAWG | |
| 16 | ALE YEAH BBQ | |
| 17 | BROTHERS OF OHIO BBQ | |
| 18 | ACME BBQ | |
| 19 | Peace Love & Smokiness | |
| 20 | LOADED BARREL BBQ | |
| 21 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS, KY | |
| 22 | BooyaQ | |
| 23 | Hillman BBQ | |
| 24 | Butts-N-Racks | |
| 25 | Divine Swine KY | |
| 26 | BBQ Maestros | |
| 27 | McQ Smokers | |
| 28 | PPF BBQ | |
| 29 | Meat Matadors | |
| 30 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 31 | What Up Grill | |
| 32 | Rockin' Pig BBQ |
32 entries · top 178.8572 · median 165.6686
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Butts-N-Racks | |
| 2 | ALE YEAH BBQ | |
| 3 | SMOKE-N-PEPPERS | |
| 4 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | |
| 5 | BIG DOGG BBQ - CINCINNATI, OH | |
| 6 | Peace Love & Smokiness | |
| 7 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 8 | HIGH ON THE HAWG | |
| 9 | UNDER THE RADAR | |
| 10 | MEAN MOE'S BBQ | |
| 11 | BooyaQ | |
| 12 | BROTHERS OF OHIO BBQ | |
| 13 | Blue Chip BBQ | |
| 14 | ACME BBQ | |
| 15 | WEQ4U | |
| 16 | SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS | |
| 17 | BBQ Maestros | |
| 18 | HOGGY BOTTOM BOYS, KY | |
| 19 | BURNING PIG BBQ | |
| 20 | ELKHAWG SMOKERS | |
| 21 | HIGH ON THE HOG OHIO | |
| 22 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 23 | RIVER ROAD GRILLBILLIES | |
| 24 | LOADED BARREL BBQ | |
| 25 | Hillman BBQ | |
| 26 | McQ Smokers | |
| 27 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 28 | Divine Swine KY | |
| 29 | PPF BBQ | |
| 30 | What Up Grill | |
| 31 | Rockin' Pig BBQ | |
| 32 | Meat Matadors |
21 entries · top 686.8456 · median 624.9712 · out of 720, not the usual 360
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ham Squad | |
| 2 | Dogpatch Q | |
| 3 | Ridge Bros BBQ | |
| 4 | Pullin' Out the Butts BBQ | |
| 5 | R&K BBQ | |
| 6 | Kue | |
| 7 | Big Daddy Dave's BBQ | |
| 8 | Smoke Wagon BBQ KY | |
| 9 | All Sauced Up | |
| 10 | Saucy Roy's BBQ | |
| 11 | Creek Smoke BBQ | |
| 12 | 2 Dudes Que | |
| 13 | Smokin' Gone Wild | |
| 14 | Lip Smackin Butts | |
| 15 | Smoke & Hops | |
| 16 | Bakers Auto Salvage and Recycling | |
| 17 | Ribber Boiz | |
| 18 | RED DOG BBQ INDIANA | |
| 19 | Eddie Q | |
| 20 | Piggin & Grinnin | |
| 21 | Big O BBQ |
18 entries · top 179.4400 · median 153.3884
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ham Squad | |
| 2 | Dogpatch Q | |
| 3 | Pullin' Out the Butts BBQ | |
| 4 | Smoke Wagon BBQ KY | |
| 5 | RED DOG BBQ INDIANA | |
| 6 | R&K BBQ | |
| 7 | Saucy Roy's BBQ | |
| 8 | Ridge Bros BBQ | |
| 9 | Kue | |
| 10 | Creek Smoke BBQ | |
| 11 | 2 Dudes Que | |
| 12 | All Sauced Up | |
| 13 | Big Daddy Dave's BBQ | |
| 14 | Smoke & Hops | |
| 15 | Piggin & Grinnin | |
| 16 | Smokin' Gone Wild | |
| 17 | Lip Smackin Butts | |
| 18 | Bakers Auto Salvage and Recycling |
19 entries · top 170.2744 · median 155.9084
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kue | |
| 2 | Dogpatch Q | |
| 3 | Ridge Bros BBQ | |
| 4 | Ham Squad | |
| 5 | Smokin' Gone Wild | |
| 6 | R&K BBQ | |
| 7 | 2 Dudes Que | |
| 8 | Lip Smackin Butts | |
| 9 | RED DOG BBQ INDIANA | |
| 10 | Creek Smoke BBQ | |
| 11 | Pullin' Out the Butts BBQ | |
| 12 | Smoke Wagon BBQ KY | |
| 13 | Smoke & Hops | |
| 14 | Big Daddy Dave's BBQ | |
| 15 | All Sauced Up | |
| 16 | Saucy Roy's BBQ | |
| 17 | Piggin & Grinnin | |
| 18 | Ribber Boiz | |
| 19 | Bakers Auto Salvage and Recycling |
19 entries · top 178.8572 · median 154.8572
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridge Bros BBQ | |
| 2 | Dogpatch Q | |
| 3 | Ham Squad | |
| 4 | Creek Smoke BBQ | |
| 5 | All Sauced Up | |
| 6 | Big Daddy Dave's BBQ | |
| 7 | Pullin' Out the Butts BBQ | |
| 8 | Eddie Q | |
| 9 | Kue | |
| 10 | Smoke Wagon BBQ KY | |
| 11 | Saucy Roy's BBQ | |
| 12 | R&K BBQ | |
| 13 | Smokin' Gone Wild | |
| 14 | Smoke & Hops | |
| 15 | Ribber Boiz | |
| 16 | 2 Dudes Que | |
| 17 | Big O BBQ | |
| 18 | Bakers Auto Salvage and Recycling | |
| 19 | Lip Smackin Butts |
18 entries · top 173.7028 · median 160.2628
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Daddy Dave's BBQ | |
| 2 | Ham Squad | |
| 3 | Ridge Bros BBQ | |
| 4 | Ribber Boiz | |
| 5 | Eddie Q | |
| 6 | 2 Dudes Que | |
| 7 | Dogpatch Q | |
| 8 | Kue | |
| 9 | All Sauced Up | |
| 10 | Saucy Roy's BBQ | |
| 11 | Lip Smackin Butts | |
| 12 | R&K BBQ | |
| 13 | Pullin' Out the Butts BBQ | |
| 14 | Smoke Wagon BBQ KY | |
| 15 | Smoke & Hops | |
| 16 | Smokin' Gone Wild | |
| 17 | Bakers Auto Salvage and Recycling | |
| 18 | Creek Smoke BBQ |
Run by the organizers alongside the sanctioned contest. These are judged on their own terms and do not count toward the overall score, so they're kept out of the meat stats above.
23 entries · top 180 · median 170.8460 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WEQ4U | |
| 2 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 3 | Ham Squad | |
| 4 | SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS | |
| 5 | BURNING PIG BBQ | |
| 6 | Ridge Bros BBQ | |
| 7 | R&K BBQ | |
| 8 | Meat Matadors | |
| 9 | Smokin' Gone Wild | |
| 10 | McQ Smokers | |
| 11 | Lip Smackin Butts | |
| 12 | LOADED BARREL BBQ | |
| 13 | Piggin & Grinnin | |
| 14 | Pullin' Out the Butts BBQ | |
| 15 | Saucy Roy's BBQ | |
| 16 | Smoke & Hops | |
| 17 | 2 Dudes Que | |
| 18 | Big Daddy Dave's BBQ | |
| 19 | What Up Grill | |
| 20 | Creek Smoke BBQ | |
| 21 | BooyaQ | |
| 22 | Rockin' Pig BBQ | |
| 23 | Kue |
36 entries · top 180 · median 168.8228 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pullin' Out the Butts BBQ | |
| 2 | Peace Love & Smokiness | |
| 3 | Ridge Bros BBQ | |
| 4 | Blue Chip BBQ | |
| 5 | Creek Smoke BBQ | |
| 6 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 7 | HIGH ON THE HAWG | |
| 8 | HOT COLE'S BBQ | |
| 9 | ELKHAWG SMOKERS | |
| 10 | Butts-N-Racks | |
| 11 | Ribber Boiz | |
| 12 | Smoke Wagon BBQ KY | |
| 13 | Big Daddy Dave's BBQ | |
| 14 | WEQ4U | |
| 15 | Rockin' Pig BBQ | |
| 16 | Smokin' Gone Wild | |
| 17 | McQ Smokers | |
| 18 | ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN | |
| 19 | BBQ Maestros | |
| 20 | Big O BBQ | |
| 21 | BULLHEADED BBQ | |
| 22 | BooyaQ | |
| 23 | R&K BBQ | |
| 24 | Lip Smackin Butts | |
| 25 | Smoke & Hops | |
| 26 | Ham Squad | |
| 27 | LOADED BARREL BBQ | |
| 28 | Meat Matadors | |
| 29 | All Sauced Up | |
| 30 | Kue | |
| 31 | Bakers Auto Salvage and Recycling | |
| 32 | Saucy Roy's BBQ | |
| 33 | 2 Dudes Que | |
| 34 | RED DOG BBQ INDIANA | |
| 35 | HIGH ON THE HOG OHIO | |
| 36 | BURNING PIG BBQ |